The BMBF delegation, led by Mrs. Kathrin Meyer, Head of Division for Cooperation with Asia and Oceania, and the German Embassy delegation, led by Dr. Thorsten Clausing, Counsellor for Cooperation on Science and Technology, visited NSTDA to discuss the promotion of bioeconomy research and the future direction of collaboration. They were welcomed by Dr. Uracha Ruktanonchai, NSTDA’s Executive Vice President, Asst. Prof. Dr. Chaowaree Adthalungrong, Executive Director of BIOTEC and Dr. Nitsara Karoonuthaisiri, BIOTEC’s Acting Deputy Executive Director.
The discussions focused on ongoing collaborations and future plans, exploring mechanisms and platforms such as joint funding schemes to propel bioeconomy research in both countries.
Examples of ongoing collaborative projects between our German partners and BIOTEC, funded by BMBF, include:
- LignoPlas (with Fraunhofer Society): Consolidated bioprocessing of lignin waste to polyhydroxyalkanoate bioplastic. This project aims to establish a robust and advanced processing of lignin through biocatalysis and oxidation. The derivatives obtained will be used for the fermentative production of biopolyesters, specifically polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA).
https://www.biotec.or.th/lignoplas/de/main-goal-de/
- PinaFibre (Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) and RWTH Aachen University): Exploiting the potential of a multipurpose plant by using pineapple leaf fibers for biobased textiles.
